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On July 31, 2019, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 756 (“AB 756” or “the Bill”), authorizing the State Water Resources Control Board (“State Board”) to order public water systems to monitor perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as “PFAS.” The Bill requires a public water system to report the detection of PFAS in a number of ways further outlined below.

On July 24, 2019, the Governor signed Senate Bill 200, which establishes the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund in the California State Treasury to help water systems provide an adequate, affordable supply of safe drinking water in the near and long terms.

On July 3, 2019, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 188, also known as the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair). SB 188, which is effective January 1, 2020, seeks to protect employees and students from discrimination based on natural hair and hairstyles associated with race. With the signing of SB 188, California becomes the first state to ban discrimination based on one’s natural hair.

On June 27, 2019, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 83 (SB 83), which allows workers paying into the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program to claim up to eight (8) weeks in Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits starting July 1, 2020. Additionally, SB 83 creates a task force to develop a PFL program that extends benefits to six (6) months by 2022. Prior to SB 83, workers could claim only up to six (6) weeks of PFL benefits.

On April 18, 2019, the Orange County Superior Court issued a ruling in City of Duarte v. State Water Resources Control Board - Case No. 30-2016-00833614-CU-WM-CJC and City of Gardena v. Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles – Case No. 30-2016-00833722.

The Cities of Gardena and Duarte (“Cities”) challenged the municipal separate storm sewer system (“MS4”) permit requirements with respect to the Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations (“WQBEL”) imposed by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (“Regional Board”) and the SWRCB (collectively “Respondents”).

The federal Communications Act of 1934 (“Act”) empowers state and local government entities (each a “Local Franchising Authority”) to award franchises to cable operators to authorize the construction or operation of cable systems in the public right-of-way, provided that a Local Franchising Authority may not grant an exclusive franchise and may not unreasonably refuse to award an additional competitive franchise.

Governor Jerry Brown recently signed Senate Bill 946, also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. Under the law, which goes into effect January 1, sidewalk vendors may not be prohibited, although local authorities will be able to establish regulations on sidewalk vendors to protect valid health, safety and welfare concerns. The statute defines “sidewalk vendors” as “persons who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other non-motorized conveyance, or from one’s person, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path.” A sidewalk vendor can be roaming or stationary. “Local authority” is expressly defined as both chartered and general law cities and counties.

On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Janus v. AFSCME ((2018) 585 U.S. __) declaring that union “agency fees” violate the First Amendment and, consequently, are unconstitutional. The Court’s decision will significantly impact labor law precedent and recognized employee organizations because non-union workers/members can no longer be forced to pay fees to public sector employee organizations/unions.

SB 606 and AB 1668 (“Bills”), signed by the Governor of California on May 31, 2018, amend the Water Code to impose a number of new or expanded requirements on state and local water suppliers. SB 606 and AB 1668 set out new water use targets and implement the Governor’s Executive Order to create a permanent framework for water conservation.